Utah
Utah animal shelter struggling to care for nearly 300 animals amid soaring costs
EAGLE MOUNTAIN, Utah (KUTV) — What started as a small rescue effort six years ago has turned into a thriving animal sanctuary in Eagle Mountain.
Haven Ranch is home to nearly 300 animals. Due to soaring costs and a drop in donations, the facility has been struggling to stay afloat.
ARC Salt Lake spoke to executive director David Curneal about the financial strain forcing the sanctuary to make difficult choices just to keep caring for hundreds of animals.
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What started as a small rescue effort six years ago has turned into a thriving animal sanctuary in Eagle Mountain. Haven Ranch is home to nearly 300 animals. Due to soaring costs and a drop in donations, the facility has been struggling to stay afloat. (KUTV)
Curneal said the sanctuary had 37 animal sponsors this time last year — that number has now dropped to just 12 as both families and businesses cut back on charitable giving.
He said Haven Ranch has depleted retirement savings to continue operating and is no longer accepting new animals because resources are too limited, even during one of the busiest times of year for rescue calls.
The sanctuary is now working to find homes for some animals, including birds, while Curneal said Haven Ranch is far from alone, noting other sanctuaries are also facing mounting financial pressure.
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